Steubenville Rape Trial Begins
Steubenville rape trial opening arguments were uttered on Wednesday. The two Big Red football stars accused of raping an incapacitated teenage girl garnered national attention and wreaked havoc on the small Ohio town. The Anonymous online group took the Steubenville rape case story viral after claims that special treatment were being given to the two football stars accused of raping a 16-year-old West Virginia girl during an allegedly drunken victory party.
The rape allegedly occurred in August. Photos and video from the Steubenville High School Big Red party went viral online. Video related to the alleged rape was reportedly plastered on social media outlets, prompting backlash from numerous groups, including the Ohio NOW branch.
A video allegedly from the Steubenville rape posted on YouTube shows young men making lewd jokes about a passed out teenage girl being sexually assaulted. The graphic language used to describe the alleged Big Red football team rape prompted even more outrage about the Ohio case.
Both Steubenville High School wide receiver Ma’Lik Richmond and star quarterback Trent Mays appeared in Jefferson County Juvenile Court on Wednesday. Prosecutors claim the football players raped the 16-year-old girl both in a basement and a car. The young woman was allegedly unable to given consent to the sexual encounters because she was “in a stupor” the entire time.
Ma’Lik Richmond and Trent Mays have vehemently denied the charges levied against them in the Steubenville rape case. Dozens of witnesses for both the prosecution and the defense are scheduled to take the stand during trial. The alleged teenage victim will also reportedly be taking the stand during the Steubenville trial. The young woman reportedly told investigating police officers that she does not remember the alleged sexual assault.
Prosecutors will be using an Instagram photo as evidence against the Big Red football players. The photo reportedly shows Trent Mays, 17, and Ma’Lik Richmond, 16, carrying the teenage girl out of a house by her arms and legs.
Three uncharged Steubenville High School football players who have not been charged in connection with the Big Red rape will allegedly be witnesses for the prosecution. As previously reported by The Inquisitr, a West Virginia judge recently ruled that two teenagers from his state cannot be compelled to travel back to Ohio and testify for the defense.
The defense attorney for Trent Mays made a motion to request the judge throw out the case due to the lack of availability of material witnesses from West Virginia. Mays’ attorney claims that the witnesses could testify about how much alcohol the alleged victim consumed during the Steubenville High School Big Red victory party. The lawyer also maintains that the West Virginia witnesses could also testify about the comments the young woman supposedly made the morning after the alleged rape.
A breaking news reports about the Steubenville rape trial claims that the two West Virginia witnesses are now being compelled to testify, but the statement is currently unconfirmed. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin at 10:30 am.
What do you think about the Steubenville rape trial?
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